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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Del Berry was shot and killed on the Navajo Reservation in Lupton, Arizona. He noticed approximately 20 people outside of a trading post and stopped to investigate. Unbeknownst to Deputy Berry, the group was looting the store. As he pulled into the parking lot, the group swarmed around his patrol car, and one of the men fired a shotgun into the vehicle, killing Deputy Berry. Deputy Berry's body was pulled from the vehicle, and five people, three adults, and two juvenile girls, then stole his patrol car and duty weapon. The subjects who stole the patrol car were arrested a short time later. The man, 23, who shot Deputy Berry was arrested in Phoenix one month later and charged with murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term of 20 years. The subject was released in 2021. The large group was affiliated with the American Indian Movement. Deputy Berry had only served with the Apache County Sheriff's Office for two weeks and had previously served with the McKinley County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Berry gave the Apache County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Johns community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Berry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Apache County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Delbert is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Delbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Delbert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer at Apache County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1880, with 2.
In 1973, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Delbert was 32. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Apache County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 34; the middle age was 32. Delbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Delbert was 32. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Delbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Delbert was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Delbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Delbert was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Delbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 20%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 11.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Apache County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Delbert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Apache County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
